s33a2d17 Reviews

Spider-Man 3 (2007)

disappointing

[6/10 · 1 May 2007]

I've always been a Spider-man fan.. I got the comics when I was a kid (sold then later (bangs head against the wall)) and I've seen and bought the previous two movies. But after seeing this for the first time, my first impression is that I am not going to buy this one.

There is the obvious criticism about the black suit, of course, and how Peter gets it (don't worry, won't spoil it for you), but that's a detail, really, as the way he got it in the comics would take not just an entire movie, but a whole range of characters we haven't seen on screen before, so there is no way they could make that work. The solution they chose is fine, albeit somewhat unimaginative.

I've wondered why I felt disappointed when I left the theater. Part of my disappointment lies in the fact that apparently for Spider-man 3, better had to mean: more. More action, more enemies, more Bang. And I disagree with that. So much is dealt with in this episode, that nothing gets much depth. Or rather: it doesn't come together as a movie. There's no glue, and when the dust settles in the end, we're not left with much.

Another issue was credibility. At several points during the movie I shook my head in disbelief and asked myself: why does this happen? What's the motivation, the reasoning behind it? That question applied to the actions of at least 4 characters. Getting from A to B in a movie can be necessary, but do take some care as to how you pull it off! I'll go see it again, see if perhaps I'm just having a bad day. I mean: there's some good stuff in there as well, and the scene in the jazz club is awesome. There's enough for me to tell you you should probably go see this if you're a Spidey fan, but I didn't feel the spark.

For now: 6 out of 10 - I'm disappointed.

The Prestige (2006)

fairly predictable, but enjoyable

[7/10 · 14 February 2007]

For some reason, when watching a Hollywood movie about magicians, before you've seen a single frame, you expect Hollywood magic as well. Magicians, perhaps owing to the number of fantasy movies coming out in recent years, immediately make one think of wizards, not illusionists. At least that how it was for me, and that is how I watched this movie. When looking for the unexpected, which most people will do given the advertising for this movie, it is not hard to find at all, and while the exact details are only revealed later in the movie, the ending of the movie becomes clear at least an hour before it occurs, taking the edge off the 'suspense'. This is in part the fault of the decision to use flashbacks. Had the storytelling been more linear, the careful listener would not have heard details which reveal what is only shown later in the movie.

So much for the plot. The acting is very enjoyable for this type of story. The chosen time period, while not shown in detail, adds charm to the story. Although I never do get that feeling of really looking at the past, the locations are wonderful, as are the costumes.

I do think the film is concerned too much with the plot, and not enough with the characters, but given the plot, that is to be expected as well, perhaps. A little more depth wouldn't have hurt, though.

An enjoyable movie, even if you can see the conclusion coming. I wouldn't have liked to have missed it.

My Brother Tom (2001)

sensitive exploration of two teens entering the cruel world

[8/10 · 8 September 2006]

I was lucky enough to catch My Brother Tom yesterday on the only showing this movie ever got in theaters in The Netherlands. With an audience of only 3, including myself, I wonder what is wrong with movie lovers these days. In general terms, the movie is about how a traumatic event affects the lives of two teenagers. Their view of the world is altered, their 'innocence' lost, as they discover that the outside world is a cruel and indifferent one, and that youthful peace and joy only remains within themselves - and between two people, if at all. 'They never listen' Tom says at one point, voicing an all too familiar (but true) sentiment among teenagers with or without scars.

The acting is wonderful and refreshing, although I did think both actors appeared older than their roles which at times interfered with the story. But perhaps that can't be helped with a subject like this. To see that this is Jenna Harrison's first role, amazes me, she's a natural. Whishaw's acting as Tom left me wondering 'what is wrong with that guy' as if he had some kind of mental condition. But at all times I wondered about Tom, not Whishaw - they were one and the same, as far as I was concerned.

The film felt almost like a fairytale at times, albeit a dark one. The bond between Tom and Jessica is painfully believable, and wonderfully disarming at the same time. It felt real, and that is a great achievement.

Mój Nikifor (2004)

unsympathetic and incomplete

[4/10 · 6 February 2006]

I can only imagine that this movie is funny or touching to those who know the artist. I did not, however, and found the movie greatly lacking content, depth... and art.

What we see is only the very last part of Nikifor's life. We do not see his youth, how he got to be an artist, who inspired him, how he worked, nothing at all, no background is given. We hardly see any of his work, except during the closing credits. The actress depicting Nikofor makes him look surly, unlikeable and even dim-witted at times, and she does so with over the top acting, as if she is mainly focused on playing a male role instead of playing the artist.

Yes, this movie has won awards. But I can't imagine why. We get no insight into the character of Nikifor at all, and thus, it was a waste of my time.

Stestí (2005)

Rich drama with excellent performances

[9/10 · 1 February 2006]

Stestí, shown at the International Filmfestival Rotterdam as 'Something Like Happiness' is by no means a comedy - it's only classification should be 'drama' as that is what it is. And excellent drama at that.

The story is simple in its outline: Monika, Dasha and Tonik are friends - or at least they all were at some point. At the movie's opening we learn that Monika's boyfriend left for the United States and will send for her as soon as he is settled, though no concrete time frame has been talked about. While her mother is supportive, her father apparently doesn't care much for the guy. He does, however, get along well with her longtime friend Tonik, and the two enjoy the occasional bottle (or two) of spirits. Tonik lives with his aunt in a house next to the factory his dad works for. The house is falling apart, but the aunt won't sell out to the factory, and this has strained relations between father and aunt, and thus father and son. Unfortunately, Tonik doesn't have a penny to his name, and they can barely afford electricity. Then there is Dasha, the catalyst of the story. She has two children by a man who has long since left, and is in love with a married man. Dasha is mentally unstable, has been so for some time, and doesn't know very well how to care of her two children. Tonik and Monika regularly help out and are like an aunt and uncle to the children, but Dasha's mental problems make her scornful, even hateful towards her friends. Then Dasha has a breakdown and both Monika and Tonik need to decide how to balance their own needs with those of Dasha and her children.

I can't (or rather won't) tell you more about the story - I do not want to include spoilers. But while the story so far sounds grim, and the surroundings look equally grim and grey, with the smoking nuclear plant dominating the scenery, there is levity and a surprising amount of warmth in this movie as the characters strive towards something like happiness.

The acting is very natural, it feels like Monika and Tonik play themselves rather than their roles, and there is real chemistry between the two. The roles of the respective parents should not be overlooked either, although I am sorry to say I don't have a list of the full cast to give them the credit they deserve.

Most striking is the perseverance of these wonderful people considering the circumstances they live in and the blows life deals them. There is an admirable strength of character to Monika and Tonik and you can't help but feel for them and wish them well.

The movie feels longer than it actually is. Not in that it gets boring, on the contrary, had it been an hour longer I would still have enjoyed watching it, because the characters are so interesting. It feels long because of the range of events covered. By the end of the film, you feel you've come to know the characters, almost as friends. A part of me would like to contact the director and ask if they're alright. It's funny how real fiction can be.

Lonesome Jim (2005)

hilariously honest

[8/10 · 1 February 2006]

Laughing about other people's misery is something many of us like to do. Lonesome Jim gives us ample opportunity to do so. The admirable thing is, that the events and comments that make us laugh out loud here, aren't contrived or even over the top. There are people like that, they talk like that, they put each other down like that and most of all: they get by, just like that. Jim goes out of his way to avoid challenges, and that is nothing uncommon. The movie is painfully honest about average people's lives, and that is what makes this movie not just funny, but also heart-wrenching to see. It *is* funny though, very much so, even. The laughter in the audience was so loud at times I couldn't make out the next sentence. The characters know not to expect too much of life, and they don't. But they get by, just like we do, and with a little love, a little companionship and a little bit of happiness, that is enough.

Crash (I) (2004)

don't miss it - it's a Hollywood movie that's actually worth watching!

[8/10 · 23 July 2005]

The summary should do, really. But let's elaborate a little. Before I say anything else, I'll tell you I'm a critical movie watcher. I'm European, prefer European movies as they have far more depth and diversity and I have little respect for the rubbish shoveled out of Hollywood. But I still keep an eye on it. Even among the trash you can find things worth keeping, and this movie definitely qualifies.

The story is sobering, at least at first. It doesn't hold it's punches when the human condition (at least in L.A.) is described, and it shows us racism is rampant everywhere. Yes, even in the USA. The quality of this movie lies is the complexity of the emotion that is shown - events and characters are not black and white, if you pardon the pun. Characters are far more rounded that we are used to seeing in Hollywood movies. Still, Crash doesn't manage to keep it's strong points going for the entire duration of the movie. Sentimentalism creeps in, some events you can see from a mile away and the obligatory 'happy' ending cannot be avoided (I don't think you'd consider it a spoiler if I tell you most characters in the movie have received a lesson in life by the end). But what we see in between opening and closing credits is strong enough to make not want to dwell on that too much - it's also strong enough for me not to be naive and think the lessons learned will stick, not with most of them anyway.

All in all, it's a rare thing to see a movie of this quality, with this cast, come out of the Hollywood studio's. You wouldn't want to miss that, would you?

War of the Worlds (2005)

Read the book instead

[4/10 · 9 July 2005]

Had I written this last night, when I came back from the screening, it would have gotten a '1' - but the visuals were OK, I guess. And I don't hate SF, Tom Cruise, Steven Spielberg or H.G. Wells.

The reason why I think this movie is such brainless crap is because Spielberg seems to have made it on autopilot. He handed it over the SFX department with the request to leave him 5 meters of celluloid to include some acting - which then got cut as I didn't see any in the entire movie.

There is no suspense at all after the initial rise of the first tripod. We are given no reason to care for any of the characters beside little Rachel - who is the only one who comes across as somewhat believable, although her part seems to be limited for a large part to screaming.

You don't see real fear, honestly, just attempts at shock. Just hordes of running people getting zapped. You don't see love, affection, sorrow.. name an emotion and it's sure to not be there. Yes, Cruise attempts to show them, but the man's emotional range is limited to what he must believe is emotional but can't really feel.

The story has little to do with the original War of the Worlds, really, it's no more than 'based upon' it and I suggest you all read the book and listen to Jeff Wayne's unforgettable musical version instead. What a waste of money.

The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

very Enjoyable

[7/10 · 14 May 2005]

Beautiful costumes & stages, wonderful singing, but the acting is not that impressive - which is fairly common in this type of movie, of course.

The typecasting of Patrick Wilson in the role of Raoul did little for me to care for him or his 'love' for Christine and the phantom wasn't mysterious enough by far - not really a phantom, more like a squatter in the Opera everyone knows about and nobody cares about - not even when it becomes obvious some should.

None of that is really important, of course, this movie is an opera in itself, and delivers what that requires: a little suspense, a lot of romance, little talking and a lot of singing with impressive music. And most of that is done very well. There is one point where Webber makes a painful mistake by including a synthesizer in the score, but thankfully that is only once. However, my overall feeling about the music is more like'oh yeah, heard that before' and sometimes even: 'hear that before, but better'. Can't put my finger on it right now, but there are several points where the music and singing feels 'cheap'. Does that make sense? In part, the singing of the phantom may be to blame for that.

However, the entire movie is definitely enjoyable and I had a great time. If you're into this type of movie more than I am, you'll definitely rate it above my 7.

Amélie (2001)

romantic fairytale

[10/10 · 8 December 2004]

This movie is exactly what it pretends to be: a romantic fairytale. Don't seek realism, but just the reliving of childhood fantasies, sugar-sweet romantic expectations and unlikely comedy that nevertheless magically put a smile on your face. Take your girlfriend to see this film and she'll love you for it, but check any macho comments at the door, the film's reality is fragile and has to be protected from the normal male realism. It's a little girl's movie for adults.

The movie begins with Amelie's history - from her childhood to her young adult self which we will see the rest of the movie; it's fast-paced and narrated, and the storybook look you see at the beginning of the movie, are what you should expect throughout the movie, most of the time. There is atmosphere in every scene, there are rich, warm colours in every scene and they complement the acting. Many characters are stereotypes, as they should be in fairy tales, and of course, the universe conspires to bring Amelie a wonderful future, as promised in the title. The jokes are often corny and old, and thus exactly what you would expect - the joy of this movie, throughout, is not in the surprise, but in the recognition. The things you wanted to do as a child, Amelie still does, as an adult.. yet she is lonely. And her entire world is about to change..

Pieces of April (2003)

Small, superficial, but very enjoyable

[19 January 2004]

What went wrong? The story of April and her family is not told, just suggested. More focus on the years preceding the story - some flashbacks - would have made this a more profound movie - the way it is now, it feels like this movie is the trailer to the real thing - and I'd be looking forward to it, too. April is a believable character, I've known several people like her. Her family is a bit too comically shallow, though, and I don't see her mom as that believable a role. I also don't believe April's a former drug-addict. Some weed, sure, but can you imagine her shooting up? Sniffing coke? I can't. Katie Holmes' face doesn't show the marks. She's ****ed at her family, and for a good reason, I can imagine the life she had to endure while living in that house. But her mother hints at stuff too. April was a difficult child, too much too handle, so there are two conflicting sides here, and some points could have been made there about parenthood in general, that don't really come to the surface.

Thinking about it, I know what I miss... the contact between the family and April. There isn't any. Not a single scene before the end where they talk, no chance to feel the strained relationship in their voices, awkward looks, hidden frustration, arguments.. the tension doesn't become tangible. That's fine for the ending that was chosen, but that doesn't make this a feel-good movie - the very harsh comments made in the car are in no way forgotten. After the Thanks-giving party, all will return to their own lives, and though a little progress is made, resentment will remain on both sides.

Despite the comments, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie, the script is sincere, funny, the movie well acted and well shot. Disregard all comments on shaky or bad camera-work, it's fine except for heavy backlighting in 1 single car-shot. If you want shaky movies, go see a Dogma-movie. That's shaky.. this is rock-solid.